Encounter - Sundays

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read John 6:1-15. What stands out in this passage? What is God’s heart wanting to communicate to us through this Scripture? Growing up, were you more of a brown bag or cafeteria lunch kind of kid? What did your school lunches consist of? What was your favorite lunch to get? Why is it important to keep our eyes open to see what Jesus is doing around us? What are some things you see Jesus doing around you right now? Where in your life do you have a “scarcity mindset”? Finances? Time Management? Emotional Energy? The Future? Somewhere else? What is a truth from God’s Word to help combat that feeling? How have you seen God multiply a gift or an offering in an amazing way? When have you felt or been told what you had to offer was unnecessary? How have you overcome that? How can you use your gift/offering this week partnering with Jesus?

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read John 20:24-29. What stands out in this passage? What is God’s heart wanting to communicate to us through this Scripture? What are the things in your life or your past that cause you to be negative or pessimistic? Have you always been this way? Is it getting better or worse recently? When are you most skeptical? And specifically, what has been the toughest parts of your faith journey that stirs the skeptic in you? In what ways have you seen Jesus overcome your doubts? Of these 5 encouragements when we’re doubting, which is the most difficult for you, and which one would you like to focus on this week? Seek Jesus Stay faithful Keep trusting Keep following Keep praying After Thomas’ encounter with Jesus, he was significantly changed, having a strong vibrant faith. Moving on from this discussion and study, how would you like this encounter with Jesus to change you?

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read Mark 5:24-34. What stands out in this passage? What is God’s heart wanting to communicate to us through this Scripture? According to the Law, the woman in our passage was “unclean.” This meant that she couldn’t touch anyone, she was ostracized in society, couldn’t attend church, and had to announce to everyone that she was unclean before entering any kind of space. What types of people might feel that way in our society today, and what should we do about it? The 12 year issue of bleeding robbed her of her energy, joy, and opportunities. Is there anything in your life that is robbing you of those things? What is false hope? And what can we put false hope in? Like the woman fighting her was through a massive crowd to get to Jesus so she could touch Him… How can we be desperate to get to Jesus? What daily actions could we do to show our desperate need for Him? In the sermon, we talked about making your faith all about Jesus. How are we NOT doing this (for example: what worldly things are we adding to our faith)? And lastly, what are a few ways in which we CAN make our faith all about Jesus?

Go Deeper Who are you most like in the narrative right now (Man on the mat/One of the friends/Pharisee/A face in the crowd)? Why? What kind of obstacles try to prevent you from getting in front of Jesus? How can you creatively overcome those obstacles? Who are the people in your life that will carry you to Jesus (keep you accountable, lift you up in prayer, rejoice with you, etc.)? If you don’t have anyone, why not? What is holding you back? What event in your life brought you closest to God?

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read Luke 10:25-37. What stands out in this passage? What is God’s heart wanting to communicate to us through this Scripture? We refer to the “expert in the law” in this passage… someone who was a know-it-all and had all the spiritual answers. What was he asking, testing, and seeking from Jesus… and why? Before talking with Jesus, what would your guess be about “The Expert’s” definition of a neighbor? And after Jesus’ story, what was Jesus’ definition of loving your neighbor? Look at the characters in the story: a priest, a Levite, a Samaritan, and the man who was beaten. How can you relate with all four characters? Why do you think the Priest and the Levite walked away? Would it change the likelihood of you stopping and helping someone on the side of the road based on their gender, age, or ethnicity? Why is it important for us to be willing to help others? How does God see each of us? How can we work to see each other the way God sees us? Share with the group one person that you know is in need right now. How can you go out of your way and help them this week?

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read Ecclesiastes 10:1-20. Solomon lists off many proverbs in this chapter and moves around all over the place between topics, observations, and experience. Have each group member share one verse or idea in chapter 10 that sticks out to them and why. Verse one talks about the idea of a fool being compared to a bad stench. What are some ways that Christians can give off a bad aroma to this world? (In other words, how can we be off putting to the people around us?) One mark of a fool is that they don’t see clearly in regards to how God wants us to see things in this world. Spiritually, how does our vision get clouded with the world’s ways? In what ways can we be foolish with our family? At work? With neighbors? At church? What does it mean to be… Foolishly indulgent? Foolishly lazy? Foolishly indifferent? Foolishly blunt? Read Ephesians 5:15-17. How can we pursue wisdom instead of foolishness?

What is the craziest storm you’ve ever been in? Where are you “on the lake” right now and why (clear sailing, headed into the storm, in the midst of the storm, bailing water like crazy, headed out of the storm)? The disciples asked Jesus, “do you not care that we are perishing?” When have you wondered if God cared about you? Read 2 Cor 1:1-11. What is God’s Word saying to you in these verses?

Merry CHRISTmas!

TOGETHER GROUP QUESTIONS Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-15. What is God’s Word saying to you? What stands out? There is a time and a season for everything. Go around the group and have each person share what kind of season they are in. The highs, the lows, the rhythms of life, the best things, the hardest things, etc. Why is change so hard? What is one of the hardest changes you’ve had to face in life? And in addition, since the pandemic, what is a recent change in our society over the past 3 years that has been really hard for you? How are you responding to inflation with groceries and gas? And how would God want His disciples to respond to these changes? What is a practical step we could take to work towards this? (Please note: this principle can be applied to any change in life!) (verse 12-13) When I think of the gifts God has given me, who or what immediately come to mind? How often do I express my gratitude to God for all His gifts? And how often WILL I seek to thank Him this week? (verse 14-15) Do I honestly fear and honor God? What are some practical ways my life can show this on a daily basis? What things should I be doing, and what things should I not be doing?